Metabolism in seed ripening: protein and poly(A)+ RNA pattern in developing embryos of Triticum durum

Pattern of proteins and poly(A)+RNA synthesis in Triticum durum embryos during their development and in after-ripened seeds was studied. The aim was to evaluate differences as to the polyadenylated RNA in relation to the ripening and dormancy of caryopses. Developing embryos show a progressive increase of protein and poly(A)+ contents while, during the after ripening period, a decrease of both occurs. With these events a syncronous incorporation pattern of labeled precursors does not coincide: therefore it is possible that, during embryo development, a progressive utilization of both proteins and poly(A)+ RNA occurs. Moreover, the poly(A)+ RNA of dormant dry embryos exhibits a template capability higher than of the after-ripe ones. On the contrary, when the after ripe embryos are from imbibed seeds, their transla-tional capability is higher. Some hypotheses about the different messengers for proteins probably involved in the maintaining of seed dormancy are discussed. Key words